The Huron Expositor, 1979-12-13, Page 45h
1
BYBOB 'ABEIHAZT
Each year when Christmas time rolls
around, my thoughts go back to m
childhood years on the .farm at 'Turnbull's
Mountain just about two miles from
Seaforth and the annual Christmas Concert.
at S.S. No. 4, McKillgp.
Christmas then was really sometbIngl'
The month of December in the rural
schoolswas devoted almost entirely to the;
most ;important event of the year the.
Christmas Concert. Believe it, or not, the
true value of a teacher in those days was
not judged by the certificates held, but by
how good a Christmas Concert could be
Presented before the critical eyes .of the
ratepayers,
In those days the teacher, besides being
'talented. had to possess the wisdom of
Solomon in order to satisfy the whims of
the community. In some school sections the
political and religious: trends had to be met,
and should the content of the: program go.
against the "grain" of a trustee, in
particular, that teacher might find himself,.
or herself, seeking employment in another
school section.. Such was not the case in our
school, section. Families like: the Harrisons,
Stewarts, Kerrs, Beatt es, Hgggs, Smiths,.
etc. were too brosaminded for that:
In those days there was no such thing as
a union, or a permanent certificatethat
would: grant a teacher the right to question
the trustees about a salary, increase, or
working conditions, without possible reper-
cussions. Onemonth's notice was .all that
was required and the teacher could either
"like it, or lump. it." The:. Christmas.
Concert was a "MUST": Regardless of
what talent was available, the teacher was
supposed to equal, if not surpass, the
production of previous concerts.
Everyone and 1 mean everyone had a
part to play in the Christma•C concert.
There were no "bench warmers.' The
trustee that read off the program numbero.
was often the most welt -to-do farmer, the
one paying the most taxes. Today too much
emphasis is placed, on a polished perform-
ance for the sake of pleasing the elite, the,
cash register, or winning the trophy at any
price. Hockey, today, is the worst example
of frustrating the very young. The smart
parents of today should try to have Johnny
placed on the weakest team in the league,
thus guaranteeing, bion a chance to take his
regular turn on the ice. Thisis particularly
true when the child is not too adept in the
necessary skills, but loves the game:
Yes, December was a busy month. I am
of the conviction that pupils learned a great
deal about reading, dramatics, oratory and.
particularly an early start at overcoming
that natural fear of failing before the public
which even .experienced professionals,
tremble as the curtain goes ;up. In those
days the family .namewas at stake. What
six-year old would let : his, family: and
relatives dowel' 'bl ajmbling over ,a
recitatimz that-bia Mother or dad had given,
when they pace attended' schjool l
The rendition of the Christmas Carols;
was more loud than good.The little
children were not too, sure of words .and.
sometimes it soundedi like, for example::
"whitesherds hep yl(sS led Their Socks By
Night."
ALWAYS PACKED
The. school house was always, packed,
and no advance publicity was needed.
Most numbers were a "hit." .ohnniei.
,fsingingthrough his nose, while strumming;
the wrong chord on the guitar, was always.
* star as :a large part of theaudience was;
made up .of his. relatives.
Anothernd, . ition in; those days was that'
at kast: one, of the concert numbers, had to+.
be staged by a group of ratepayers.
Without this outside number, how else,
would the teacher know that the parents,
had talents such as step -dancing, hart/Ion-
ics playing, elocution, etc.?'
Waiting, for the appearance of, Santa;
Claus was the main attraction, .lithe school.
section had a prosperous yea, the trusteesg
might give each pupil a bag of candy
containing an orange. , Since; candy was so
treat in those days, and ;oranges, pnly
appeared at concert and Christmas time for
most families, such gdts were not only
enjoyed, but appreciated;, The identity .of
Santa Claus, although more safely guarded
than the recent budget speech, was known.
by most f the pupils: His voice; although,
disguise at first, finally gave way to its
usual tone while telling the same jokes he
had related at the school picnic, threshing
•or silo -filling, dining farm tables. The big/
give -a -way was always when his wife
'laughed long before and after the joke.
The Christmas tree's appearance chang-
ed very Little. from year to year. Stored
away . were, the tinsel, crepe paper, the
stringedpopcorn. and.paper bells waiting
tote brought out of the cupboardsa tew
days before the. event. Everyone. brought,
n toplacedon or under the tree
nese is e
,�
p
Alwayg; there were a couple or more joke
presents which brought a lot of laughter..
The smart teacher always kept thew extra.
bags of candy available in case some.
unexpected child showed up: An old
preacher once told me aboutan unhappy
childhood experience. He. said: "When I,
was four years old, my°fafher took me toa
school concert outside of our :school•
section, and not being expected, Santa,
had: nothing for me,' I was. heartbroken!
That was 70 years -ago, but I' haven't got
Over it' yet"
A. afinst'H" CONCERT TOO
In addition to the school concert, in some
school sections the teacher and pupils were
asked to participte in a church concert..
This could pr.esent a problem as some
ratepayers belonged'to other .churches.
Jur special
of theday is
coming right up
sincere wishes for a rare vintage
Christmas trimmed with every
delectable holiday,, delight!`
ESSEN
HAUS
Restaurant
Seaforth
S.S.•
NO. 4, McKILLOP, 1923 Back,; left Frank Hogg, George
Campbell, Eldon Kerr, -Helen Kerr, Mabel Hogg, (Teacher), Pearl;
Webster, Lavada Rising, David: Shannon, Torn .Nash. Front row: Bob
'Aberhart, Helen Beattie; Merietta Nash, Margaret Kerr, Audrey
Webster, ';Bea Aberhart, Freda Webster, BarbaraAberhart, Lulu
Webster. A few are missing as they attendedschool only during the.
winter. I think of Harvey MoLlwain who was our "STAR" at the Xmas
Concert and is stilt the "STAR" at the Annual Seaforth Fall Fair..
Sometimes there was competition between and seemed quite successful, -`
the teacher and the priest or preacher. This The night of the sermon, the minister
reminds me of a story: full of confidence, marched up and began
his sermon. Now the moment came and he
An enterprising young .minister decided; said: "and the angels lit the candles.,."
that he would get some children involvedi11 There was no response. He looked around
his Christmas sermon and give a theatrical and the boys were nowhere to be seen. He
touch to the evening. He chose several repeated himself, a little moreloudiy,.,".
small lads from the congregation, dressed "and the angels lit. the candles." Receiving
them up as alter boys and game their no response, he tried again this tale -
instructions: ` directing his voice towards the curtain
Whenhe came to thepart in his text behind him, where the boys were to await.
candles ..th. .. 's weretoThiscue. "and the angels lit the candles!
where he s e boys
and . comeandlight s 'lit the there time the voice of a highly disturbed
the candles on the candelabra in front of young boy yelled from behind, him. "And
the pulpit. This was practised several times . the cat peed on the m. atches!',' r
t
Editor's for Note: Bob Aberhart wasbora in , tue in 1932 and from London Normal
the Bible Bill Aberhart Farm House on the School in 1933, then taught for five years in
Mill Road =.now.tde Alex Boyes Farm. He ` ' the South and 35 years in the North. He
attended school in'"Egmondville for about a, says several', members of the Aberhart clan
year and then; attended S.S. NO. 4, and connections attended rural schools and
McKillop when his parents moved to what they could write a book about rural school
is known as Turnbull's 'Mountain. He concerts. Since Dec, .1978, she's _ been
graduated from Seaforth Collegiate Insti- residing .at 82 Centre Street, Seaforth ..
WEDDING IN'VITATIINS
THE HURON. EXPOSITOR
PHONE,527-0240 SEAFORTII
ay* the
merriment of
Christmas sing
to roughr*a I I
your holidays.
As we remem-
bere;al1*our
trusted friends
we $-se n c;vi a
graceful note
of thanks.
We at McLaughlin Chevrolet -Olds Ltd. extend
to all our friends, family and customers best wishes
for this joyous season and o: prosperous 1980.
McLAUGHLIN
CHEVROLET—OLDS LTD.
Phone 527.1140 Seaforth
s6wn•sraw..Y..w,.sauinr,.L...r
THE t;URI
.EXPOSITOR,, D.Eiiitgt:
liSt
rctings
We send, you
a treasury of
old fashioned.
holiday greetings
and sincere • ,
.�
O
0
ratitude.. a'
,
a o a 6• ,e a s .+
8, a.
e .ince
s
vin
sa
g
Ontario'
MINISTRY OF REVENUE:
.,, SEAFORTH': .
m
Manager Keith Ha tall and staff
from
Were joiningr to jolly
old elf in wishing you at
very merry holiday.
Thanks' for being such
wonderful' customer~.
We appreciate your
patronage:,
BEST WISH
he'...Staff it. Management
ublint Ont.,
E